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Electric boiler for infloor heat, supplemental forced air

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stigedis
stigedis Member Posts: 2
in Radiant Heating

15 year old walk out home. Minnesota. Have forced air furnace. But also infloor heat for basement. @1600-1700 sq. Each floor. Finished basement, well insulated including under slab. One zone, 5 loops. Have used ao smith vertex for DHW and in floor heat since the start. Have gone through 2 units. Put in regular hot water heater this past summer when the ao crapped out again . Now looking at adding heat back to floor. Do I replace with another combi unit or maybe electric boiler for infloor heat zone. Forced air doing its job but would like floor heat. Looking at electro industries mini boiler to the job. Operating cost is a factor obviously but since only supplemental, I may be over thinking the cost. Looking at a 5kw unit. Electric rate is at .11 cents……plumber was out and he said he has the same unit for last 8 years heating his basement at 1500 sq feet and notes very economical since it’s not main heat source for whole house. I usually turn floor heat on at tgiving and off at Easter.

Anybody have suggestions/comments/advice?
thanks in advance

Comments

  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 26,356

    do you have enough capacity in your panel for an additional 40 A breaker?

    Another option is a second gas water heater for just the basement radiant.

    A basement below heated space should be a fairly low heat load, so operating cost on the electric would be low.

    Any idea if there is insulation under the slab,that will have some effect on operating costs.

    There is a fuel cost calculator at www.coalpail.com if you know delivered cost of gas and electricity

    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • stigedis
    stigedis Member Posts: 2

    Thanks for reply. Yes I have enough room in panel. Specs indicate 30 amp at 5kw. If I wanted to go a size bigger to 7kw, that’d be. 45 amp breaker. Yes 2 inch F-250 under slab, at and around footings, exterior of foundation (including frost wall at walk out-which faces south) and interior of all basement walls. Also 2x4 walls at interior of basement walls with R-13, and spray foam at rim joist.

    Basement is finished so running more venting would be an issue for another gas appliance. - so not an easy option.

  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 26,356

    my choice at those electric rates and the low load condition, coupled with the simplicity would be a mini electric,

    Run it on outdoor reset to maintain a comfortable slab using the least amount of energy.

    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream

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